Television

WWE sellout shows suggest growing popularity in Asia

KUALA LUMPUR: Vince Mcmahon's World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is growing in popularity in Asia. A recent tour of Japan and Thailand generated more than $3 million in ticket sales.

Over 41,000 people attended the four-day WWE Smackdown! Unleashed in the East tour in July 2003. The tour featured sellout shows in Bangkok, Thailand; and Yokohama and Kobe, Japan.

In India, WWE action airs on Ten Sports. The Raw edition of WWE had toured the country last year.

WWE senior vice president (event booking and live events) Ed Cohen was quoted in an official release as saying, "Our live events outside North America continue to see great success and sell-out crowds. The fans in Japan and Thailand were fantastic. We look forward to perform in these countries again."

Total Sports Asia is WWE’s tour promoter and marketing agent in Asia. An additional Asian tour in December has been scheduled to visit Singapore, Malaysia and Korea. Total Sports Asia managing director and CEO Marcus Luer said, "We will be announcing the dates within the next few weeks with ticketing information. We have lined up activities where fans will have a chance to meet their favourite superstars in person."

However, it remains to be seen if the wrestling-crazy fans of India will get an encore of last year, in the near future.